Today, there are 26 monarchies remain in the world with a fascinating network of kings, queens, sultans, emperors and emirs who rule or reign over 43 countries in all. Sixteen countries, including Canada and Australia, are still technically subjects of the British monarchy, which also once ruled much of the world.

Top 10 cool UK facts for kids

Windsor Castle, an official residence of the British Monarch, is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. It has been inhabited continuously for more than a thousand years. Current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, is the 39th resident of the castle. The traditional State Banquet is held in St George's Hall, with a table seating up to 160 guests.

UK introduction, Information and facts

Did you Know UK facts

British Library in London is the largest library in the world. It has more than 170 million items catalogued.

Did you Know UK facts

The highest point is Ben Navis at 1,343 m and the lowest point is -4m at The Fens.

Did you Know UK facts

No point in UK is more than 120 km (75 miles) from the sea.

Random UK facts for kids

In 1945, a flock of birds landed on the minute hand of Big Ben and delayed time by 5 minutes, creating chaos for the punctual British.

UK facts for kids

Portugal is the oldest ally country of England. The Anglo-Portuguese Treaty was signed in 1373 and is still in force.

Cool UK Facts

United Kingdom is the only country in the world with four national soccer teams - England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

UK Facts for kids

The United Kingdom is the only country in the world other than Iran to have unelected clergymen in the national legislature, and all state-run schools are legally obligated to have a daily act of collective worship

Top 10 Amazing UK fun facts

UK remains the only country not required to name itself on its postage stamps because it was the first country to issue national stamps. The first nation-wide stamp (and first adhesive stamp), the Penny Black, was issued in 1840.

Cool UK fun facts

The Queen owns all the sturgeons, whales and dolphins in the waters of UK.

UK introduction, Information and facts

Random UK fun facts for kids

William the Conqueror ordered everyone to be in their beds by 8 pm.

Cool UK fun facts

Established in 1734, Bennett's of Irongate in Derby is the oldest department store in the world, pre-dating by over 100 years the first department stores in the USA, France or other parts of Britain. It is still trading in the original building.

Random UK fun facts

The Slimbridge Wildlife & Wetlands Trust is the world's largest and most diversified wildfowl centre. It has the largest collection of swans, geese, and ducks on Earth, and is the only place where all six species of Flamingo can still be observed.

Weird UK fun facts for kids

When it was built in 1286, the castle of Harlech in Wales West was on the sea shore. It is now almost a kilometer inland. This is due to the land around the castle is rising slowly - part of the North of Great Britain is recovering its position after staying in a depressing location since the ice age

Weird UK fun facts for kids

United Kingdom is the only country in the world without a written constitution.

Funny UK fun facts for kids

The wedding rings of royal brides are said to be made from a pure nugget of Welsh gold since the tradition was started by the Queen Mother in 1923.

Amazing UK fun facts

The first motorist ever to be charged by police for speeding was an Englishman, Walter Arnold, on the 28th January 1896. He was driving at 8 mph in a 2 mph zone (He was pursued and caught by a policeman riding a bicycle.)

Weird UK fun facts

Englishman Daniel Lambert, (b.1770), weighed 52 stone and was so fat that he couldn't sink. He could still swim with two men on his back.

OMG UK fun facts

The most famous of all British pop bands "The Beatles" were once known as "Johnny and the Moondogs". Johnny was, of course, John Lennon.

Weird UK fun facts

In 1841, Prince Albert introduced the first Christmas tree to UK from his native Germany, where the St. Nicholas story had long been assimilated to old Norse and Teutonic legends